Execution is the New Competitive Edge

Supply chain leaders are betting on real-time action over planning to gain a competitive edge, according to new research, which reveals that competitive advantage comes from connected, intelligent execution, not isolated systems and static planning.

Supply chain execution has emerged as the defining battleground for competitive advantage, according to research released by Infios, a global specialist in intelligent supply chain execution. The ‘Supply Chain Execution Readiness Report’, based on a survey of 100 U.S.-based supply chain leaders, reveals that nearly eight in ten enterprises now view fast, dynamic execution — not planning or visibility alone — as their primary source of competitive differentiation in volatile markets.

This strategic shift is driving unprecedented investment: 59% of organizations plan to increase spending on supply chain solutions over the next 12 months, even as economic headwinds persist. The message is clear: connecting execution across order, warehouse and transportation operations is no longer operational infrastructure — it’s strategic leverage.

Yet the research exposes a troubling paradox. While supply chain leaders recognize execution as their competitive edge, most organizations lack the fundamental capabilities to execute at speed.

Where Supply Chains Break Down

The Infios research documents systematic execution failures: 58% cite manual workflows as their biggest inefficiency, nearly half lack automation for daily tasks (46%) and only 20% have real-time visibility across operations.

Most remain trapped in reactive mode, relying on delayed information and manual firefighting. In fact, when asked to best describe their decision-making approach during a major supply chain disruption, only 6% of respondents say they use analytics and/or AI for automated, prescriptive responses, while the majority primarily react to events as they occur (51%) or use technology for predictive alerts and manual interventions (43%).

“Supply chains aren’t struggling because leaders lack intent or investment,” said Richard Stewart, Executive Vice President of Product and Industry Strategy at Infios. “They’re struggling because execution environments were never designed to sense disruption, coordinate decisions and act in real time. When systems operate in silos, even minor delays quickly cascade into missed commitments and rising costs.”

From Reactive to Autonomous: The Power of Intelligent Execution


Supply chain execution has evolved into a strategic capability that directly impacts resilience, customer experience and growth. Organizations that master execution can respond to disruptions in real time, synchronize decisions automatically across operations and transform volatility into competitive opportunities.

Yet a stark artificial intelligence (AI) execution gap persists: only 23% have implemented AI in select workflows across supply chain execution and 41% remain in pilot stages.

The Next Phase: Systems That Act, Not Just Record


The next wave of supply chain advantage won’t come from more dashboards or visibility tools—it will come from connected execution environments that synchronize decisions and embed intelligence at the point of action.

“AI creates the most value when intelligence is directly connected to action,” Stewart added. “The organizations that pull ahead will be those that move from systems that record activity to systems that act—automatically, intelligently and end to end.”

The Execution Imperative

Execution capability is the new competitive divide. Organizations that fail to modernize — replacing manual workflows with intelligent automation and achieving real-time synchronization — will fall behind competitors who master dynamic execution. As supply chains face mounting pressure from customer expectations, cost volatility and operational complexity, the ability to execute with speed and precision will separate market leaders from followers.

To learn more about how to seize the opportunities revealed in today’s supply chain landscape, download The Supply Chain Execution Readiness Report.

Free Webinar: How to Stop Fleet Spend Leakage & Regain Cost Control

Margins are under pressure across the transport and logistics sector – and fleet spend leakage is increasingly part of the problem. From fuel misuse and unauthorised transactions to delayed visibility and manual reconciliation, small inefficiencies can quickly accumulate into significant cost erosion.

To address this challenge, Logistics Business is hosting a free webinar on 24 February 2026 at 14:00 UTC, exploring practical strategies to stop fleet spend leakage and regain cost control.

Expert panel discussion

The session brings together industry expertise from across fleet operations, compliance and technology:

  • Peter MacLeod, Editor & Podcast Host, Logistics Business
  • Ruth Waring, Transport & Compliance Consultant and Founder, Women in Logistics UK
  • Stuart Campbell, Product Lead, Fleetwallet at Cubic³

Together, the panel will examine how transport and finance teams can move from reactive, month-end reporting to proactive spend management.

What the webinar will cover:

  • Improving real-time visibility of fleet spend
  • Identifying and preventing unauthorised transactions
  • Tracking costs by vehicle, driver and route
  • Simplifying compliance and audit-ready reporting
  • Reducing administrative burden while strengthening control

The discussion is aimed at fleet managers, transport operators, compliance leads and finance professionals seeking practical approaches to tightening cost control without slowing operations.

With cost pressures continuing across fuel, maintenance and operational overheads, gaining better visibility and control over fleet spend has become a strategic priority rather than an administrative task.

Register for the free webinar:

Global Freight Forwarder Chooses AI Partner

Reindeer, an enterprise automation platform for complex workflows, today announced a partnership with Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, one of the largest international logistics providers, to drive enterprise-wide AI transformation.


The future of logistics will be defined by how effectively companies support their customers in an increasingly complex environment. Artificial intelligence is a key lever in making processes more transparent, resilient, and flexible…. Our ambition is to deploy technological innovation in a way that integrates seamlessly into existing operations and enables our customers to act with greater speed, reliability, and adaptability.

said Stefan Borggreve, Chief Operating Officer Road, Rail & CEP, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, and as member of the Management Board also responsible for digitalization and innovation.


The logistics industry faces mounting pressure to adopt AI, but most enterprises struggle to move beyond pilots. Implementations fail when they hit the often highly complex reality of strictly documented processes, inconsistent data formats, and constant exceptions. Hellmann chose Reindeer because the platform is built specifically for these conditions, capturing institutional knowledge and learning continuously from human expertise.


The first workflow addressed Hellmann’s quoting process, where requests arrived in every format imaginable, from spreadsheets to PDFs to photos of handwritten notes. For the pricing team, this was a very complex and time-consuming process.


Reindeer built an Outlook plugin that automatically extracts shipment details from emails and attachments, flags missing information, and tracks requests through completion. The system was trained on just 20 sample requests and moved into production within weeks. When the AI encounters uncertainty, it escalates to human experts rather than guessing, and learns from every correction.


This project made it clear that AI is already practical… It helped us move faster and avoid mistakes, and it showed the team what’s possible when you rethink a process like quoting. Once you see that kind of impact, it’s easy to imagine how Reindeer could improve other parts of our logistics processes too.

said Dominik Schindler, Head of Innovation at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.


Quote turnaround has been significantly reduced, and the pricing team now has more capacity for other tasks, such as consulting with customers.


“Enterprise AI transformation has almost become meaningless. Every company knows they need it, but most aren’t sure how to define it. What it actually means is building an organization where humans and AI learn together in production, where the system gets smarter from the expertise your people already have, and where you can start with one workflow and expand from there. “Hellmann understood that from the beginning, and they knew the solution wouldn’t be another tool that claimed to work perfectly out of the box. They brought their pricing team’s expertise into the loop and built something with Reindeer that compounds over time.” – Yoav Naveh, CEO, Reindeer

The partnership positions Hellmann to scale AI across additional workflows as the company continues its digital transformation.

ASRS Goes Live at Dutch DC

Bleckmann, providers of supply chain management for fashion and lifestyle brands, announces the ‘go-live’ of a new automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) at its site in Almelo – Newton, Netherlands. The new integrated goods-to-person system is an integrated Kardex AutoStore solution with automated packing line and provides a streamlined alternative to traditional rack storage. It dramatically reduces inventory footprint while speeding up picking and packing operations. The new system is the next step in Bleckmann’s automation strategy, which aims to address labour scarcity and provide a smoother fulfilment process.

Less space, more speed

The new AutoStore uses up to seven times less space than a traditional picking floor to store the same amount of inventory. This increases storage capacity, allowing more SKUs (from multiple customers) to be stored simultaneously and greatly reducing the risk of stock shortages. Items are also retrieved by radio-controlled robots, saving time by eliminating the need to walk towards picking locations.

The AutoStore is part of an integrated solution that requires minimal human intervention. This features an advanced conveyor system from carton erectors and an autonomous packing station with height reduction of the cartons, which significantly streamlines the fulfilment process.

From the moment a product enters the AutoStore until it leaves the warehouse in a carton, it will have only been touched by a single pair of hands… This increased productivities, and reduce risk of error due to less manipulation.

explained Kevin Paindeville, director warehouse solutions and innovation at Bleckmann.

An integrated solution

Automating the labour-intensive picking and packing process will enable Bleckmann’s clients to offer their customers later cut-off times for next-day delivery, among other benefits. These include intelligent demand forecasting. “The AutoStore system automatically makes the most popular items more accessible, so that they can be dispatched faster,” said Tom Wijlens, COO Netherlands North at Bleckmann. “It’s also possible to programme the system ahead of peak sales periods so top-selling items are available even quicker – saving valuable time during those extra-busy moments.”

Lights-out logistics

Switching to the AutoStore solution has many other benefits, according to Wijlens: “The new system greatly reduces the likelihood of picking mistakes,” he continued. “It also offers exceptional flexibility and scalability. This means that we can start with a basic set-up and expand it when clients need extra capacity – during the Black Friday period, for example – without disrupting ongoing operations.”

Another advantage of the AutoStore system is its low energy consumption. Ten robots at work use the same amount of energy as one vacuum cleaner. As the robots can work in the dark, energy can also be saved by switching off warehouse lights.

Holding Brakes for Electric Counterbalance Forklifts

The industrial truck industry is characterized by high safety and performance requirements. With increasing electrification, electric drive systems and their safety components are becoming more important. Compact spring-applied brakes from Kendrion contribute significantly to the operational safety of industrial trucks and impress with their stable braking torque over their service life, robust design for industrial conditions, and high mechanical load capacity during emergency stops.

The holding brake is a key component for the operation of counterbalance forklifts: it secures the vehicle when stationary on ramps, is mechanically designed for a high number of load changes, and closes reliably in the event of a fault. The fail-safe principle has proven itself here – spring-operated, electrically released, and closed when de-energized.

Electrified powertrain

With the BFK552-12 and BFK457-14 spring-applied brakes, Kendrion provides its customers with precision solutions for electric counterbalance forklifts. The brake specialists have been developing components for the industrial truck market for decades and support manufacturers and system partners with application-oriented design and series-production-ready implementation. The portfolio ranges from standard brakes to application-specific variants – tailored to motor/gearbox integration, installation position, and protection type requirements.

Flat, robust, energy-optimized


The BFK552-12 is a flat spring-applied brake with a height of only 43.7 mm and a braking torque of 60 Nm – designed for counterbalance drives, including in back-to-back arrangements. With protection class IP66, the brake is ideal for use in climatically demanding environments. Overexcitation and holding current reduction reduce power loss and heat generation, which in turn has a positive effect on the efficiency and longevity of the forklifts. As a ready-to-install unit, the brake reduces installation and adjustment effort and minimizes typical installation errors. In addition, customers benefit from the global availability of brakes developed and produced in Germany.

Design-in platform for the most demanding requirements


The BFK457-14 is available as a design-in platform for new developments with higher performance requirements: With a braking torque of more than 90 Nm and designed for high emergency stopping energies, the brake has proven itself in practice even at high travel speeds. Compact versions with a particularly space-saving design facilitate integration into dense drive compartments and enable application-specific adaptations.

Application experience meets vertical integration


When developing brakes, Kendrion combines application experience with vertical integration, relying for decades on its German development site, well-coordinated project management, a high level of service, and its in-house rotor production.

Visit Kendrion at LogiMAT in Stuttgart from March 24 to 26, 2026, Hall 1, Booth GA35.

From Express to Integrated Logistics for DX

Having honed a reputation and built a physical presence over fifty years as a same day and next day package, parcel and bulky delivery specialist throughout the UK and Ireland, DX is morphing into an integrated pallet freight and third-party logistics operator. CEO Ian Truesdale sat down for an exclusive with Logistics Business’ David Priestman to explain the transformation.

Having been acquired by HIG Capital two years ago, DX Group (formerly listed on the London AIM market) has the resources and new leadership to drive change and growth as it now becomes DX Logistics. Truesdale, who joined last July, forecasts double-digit revenue growth this year to reach the £600m mark. “It’s a good company, with a strong customer base,” he tells me. “We’re profitable, but with the potential to grow – organically, via further acquisitions and by expanding into new vertical markets such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, defence and temperature-controlled storage and distribution.”

DX has approximately 5300 staff, 2300 vehicles and 105 depots and hubs. Having acquired HBC Logistics in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, the company has gained pallet freight capacity. Truesdale (pictured, below) expects there to be some consolidation in the British pallet freight networks as there is over-capacity in haulage. His substantial prior experience with Unipart, Kuehne + Nagel, CEVA, Exel and Accenture was what attracted him to HIG to lead this specific challenge.

Physical Presence

The company can now offer integrated logistics services and dedicated solutions. From multi-user DCs to a hybrid of B2C and B2B delivering, direct or via the DX network, a multi-channel approach is being developed. “Many 3PLs don’t have last mile capacity,” Truesdale says. “DX can integrate that into our general suite of services and be a one-stop-shop – end-to-end on the demand side.” This means transporting everything from passports and letters to pallets and bulky items. 93 million items were delivered by the company last year.

Partnerships are another means to broadening the business and its range of expertise. DX has just paired with Rhenus to undertake two-person home delivery of bulky items, white goods and furniture in the UK and Ireland. “There’ll be more of these deals,” Truesdale states. “It was an open conversation with Rhenus, which is a competitor, about what was best for their customers. Instead of withdrawing from this part of the market they chose us.”

Service is key

DX is focused on mid-market SME logistics contract wins, to add to its roster of the likes of B&Q, Viking, H Samuels, Toolstation, Screwfix and Euronics. “We can deliver to both their retail stores, wholesalers and consumers,” Truesdale emphasises.

I asked Truesdale about the company’s ecommerce and fulfilment capabilities. “We’re already 40-50% B2C, so we can call that ecommerce. Some young, independent fulfilment firms have had mixed success. We are identifying which of our customers are already doing ecommerce, or beginning to, or outsourcing it, and we’ll look to win some business there.”

Other challenges have got the CEO’s attention as well, ranging from automation and AI to service performance. I finished by asking Truesdale about the problematic issue of driver recruitment and retention. “Costs have risen,” he tells me. “We’re paying more to retain and to attract (for 7.5t and 18t lorry drivers). We need people in the business that enjoy physical work. We did a staff engagement survey when I arrived as a means of further improving the culture and working environment.” DX is also busy electrifying its commercial vehicle fleet, with HVO already widely used by line-haul trucks.

April will see the launch of an international parcel offering and in May for international freight, especially less-than-truck loads (LTL). These will be time-defined services using international partners – freight forwarders and shippers. Customers will be able to use the DX portal to book and get rates, with DX collecting items from them. Watch this space.

Devices’ Autonomous Bluetooth Tracking Network

‘Blecon Agent’ is a new software solution aimed to transform Zebra Technologies’ frontline devices into an autonomous Bluetooth tracking network. By deploying the agent across Zebra’s existing device ecosystem, logistics providers can enable continuous asset visibility using the hardware already in the hands of their frontline workforce.

As logistics operations become increasingly digitised, the ability to track assets continuously, without deploying new infrastructure or relying on costly cellular connectivity, has become a commercial imperative.

The Blecon Agent delivers this capability by activating the built-in Bluetooth radios already present in Zebra devices, converting them into mobile hotspots that close long-standing visibility gaps across the supply chain.

By eliminating the need for manual scanning, cellular trackers, or new physical infrastructure, the Blecon Agent enables continuous, cost-effective asset visibility using hardware organizations already have in the field.

Digitising the Gaps in the Supply Chain

Supply chain leaders have historically struggled with gaps in their data where tracking is economically or operationally difficult. Blecon, a Zebra Registered ISV Partner, aims to close this gap by enabling the tracking of a wide spectrum of assets, from reusable roll cages utilising advanced Smart Beacons to one-time pallet shipments using low-cost, disposable Bluetooth Smart labels.

While cellular tracking is often too costly for high-volume assets and fixed readers leave blind spots, Blecon utilises the Bluetooth radio already present in frontline devices from companies like Zebra. This effectively turns the connected frontline into a massive Bluetooth network that powers asset visibility, ensuring that data flows continuously between workers, assets and backend systems.

The barrier to total visibility has always been the network… Operators either pay for expensive cellular connectivity on every asset, or they accept that they can only track items where they have installed additional infrastructure. We offer another way. By activating the Bluetooth radio in the devices they already own, we turn the gaps in their supply chain into data.

said Simon Ford, CEO of Blecon.

Empowering the Frontline

The solution is designed to support an augmented workforce, where technology handles the heavy lifting of data capture. By running efficiently in the background, the Blecon Agent automates the collection of asset data so workers can focus on high-value tasks.

This approach delivers on the promise of empowering the frontline by removing the friction of manual scanning:

  • Autonomous Data Capture: Assets and inventory are detected automatically by the Blecon Agent as they move through the operation.
  • Zero Friction: Frontline teams do not need to alter their workflow, creating a truly passive tracking system that enhances operational speed and safety.
  • Immediate Scale: Organisations can deploy a global tracking network in days using their existing device estate.

Telematics to make Fleets Simpler, Safer & Smarter

SIXT van & truck has announced the launch of Drive+, a new telematics solution designed to give businesses clear visibility, smarter insights and greater confidence in their fleet management.

Powered by telematics technology from Geotab, Drive+ Telematics is now available across SIXT van & truck’s long-term hire fleet, supporting customers to manage safety, efficiency and sustainability through a single, easy-to-use platform, while also helping to reduce operating costs.

Your Fleet. Simpler. Safer. Smarter.

Drive+ has been developed to remove the complexity from fleet data and put meaningful insight directly into the hands of fleet managers, operations teams and business owners. Through real-time visibility of vehicle location, usage and performance, Drive+ enables customers to make smarter decisions with confidence, whether they operate a small local fleet or a large national operation.

By providing accurate driving behaviour records and risk data, Drive+ can also support conversations with insurers, helping many businesses demonstrate lower risk profiles and unlock more competitive insurance costs.

Commenting on the launch, Yvonne Gabler, Managing Director at SIXT van & truck, said:

We wanted to bring our customers a telematics solution that delivers real value, not added complexity. By partnering with Geotab, the world-leading telematics provider, we’re combining best-in-class technology with the premium service and support our customers expect from SIXT van & truck. Drive+ gives businesses reliable, actionable insight they can trust. Not only to run safer and more efficient fleets, but also to help reduce costs by clearly demonstrating responsible driving behavior, lower risk profiles and greater compliance.

One platform. Three tiers

Drive+ is structured across three clearly defined tiers: Drive+ Core, Drive+ Safe and Drive+ Smart. Allowing businesses to choose the level of insight that best suits their operation, with the flexibility to evolve as their needs change.

Drive+ Core provides the foundation for confident fleet management, delivering clear, simple, visibility of vehicles, journeys and utilisation.

Drive+ Safe helps businesses actively manage driver safety and risk, supporting duty-of-care responsibilities by identifying unsafe driving behaviour early and encouraging safer habits across the fleet. This data can also be used to evidence improved driving standards, reducing the likelihood of costly claims, leading to lower insurance premiums.

Drive+ Smart focuses on operational efficiency, uptime and sustainability, bringing together vehicle health, utilisation and energy insights to help fleet managers stay ahead of issues and get more value from every vehicle.

Designed to simplify fleet management

Gabler (above) added:

At SIXT van & truck, our focus is always on simplifying fleet management for our customers. Drive+ has been designed to simplify fleet management by giving businesses the tools they need to manage their fleet in a safer, smarter and more informed way. It’s about helping customers protect their people, optimise their operations and feel confident they’re in control.

Drive+ is now available across SIXT van & truck’s long-term hire fleet.

Bitesize eLearning Expanded with new Modules

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has added five new modules to its Bitesize eLearning programme, further strengthening the training available to members of the trade association as part of their subscription benefits.


The new modules cover ATA Carnets, Representation, Rules of Origin, Sustainability, and Valuation, while the existing Classification module has been fully updated for 2026. Each course is designed to deliver practical, bite-sized learning focused on real-world customs, compliance and trade challenges.


The ATA Carnets module explains how carnets replace customs declarations, suspend duty and VAT, and help traders avoid delays and unnecessary costs. Representation explores the legal responsibilities and liabilities involved, while Rules of Origin focuses on correct duty application, origin declarations and avoiding border delays. The Sustainability module introduces freight emissions measurement and practical ways to embed greener logistics, and the Valuation module explains customs valuation methods to ensure accurate declarations and compliance.


All modules can be taken individually, alongside the mandatory CDS Compliance module, which centres on import home-use declarations and the consequences of compliance errors. Existing modules in this suite can each be undertaken separately and include: Standard Export Declaration; Export from Customs Warehouse; Outward Processing; Inward Processing; Temporary Admission; and Returned Goods Relief.

In addition to CDS Compliance, the existing BIFA Bitesize content also includes: Preparing to Trade; Incoterms 2020; Inward and Outward Processing; Customs Warehousing; Classification; Returned Goods Relief; Paying HMRC, and Customs Procedure Codes.


Since launching in February 2025, BIFA Bitesize has seen strong uptake, with more than 2,300 active users completing over 8,800 courses.

Carl Hobbis, member services director at BIFA, said: “BIFA Bitesize is a suite of eLearning that has been developed as part of BIFA’s ongoing commitment to provide a variety of training options, aimed at enhancing knowledge in areas critical to freight forwarding, customs compliance, and international trade. BIFA Bitesize gives full trading members unlimited access to eLearning as part of their membership fee. The response has been tremendous, and it’s proving to be a genuinely game-changing initiative for our sector.”

Steve Parker, director general of BIFA, added: “These new modules reinforce our commitment to delivering exceptional value and high-quality training. They support both new entrants and experienced professionals, ensuring members’ staff have access to relevant, up-to-date learning.”

Next-Gen Autonomous Robot & Software

Dexory, provider of real-time warehouse data intelligence, today announced the launch of its next-generation autonomous robot and a new software feature, ‘Storage Health’. Both of these new capabilities enhance warehouse efficiency and visibility by delivering richer, more accurate operational data.

Next-generation warehouse robots: complete, real-time visibility


Since 2023, Dexory robots have been operating in live warehouse environments, helping operators capture accurate, real-time visibility across their facilities. Building on this proven foundation, the company is now introducing the next evolution of its autonomous robot design, which is faster, more efficient, and capable of capturing significantly more data across increasingly complex warehouse operations.

The new robot operates safely alongside people and machinery without disrupting daily workflows. It captures high-frequency warehouse data and continuously feeds a live view of operations into Dexory’s digital twin platform, DexoryView. With an extended scanning range of up to 60 feet (vs. 40 feet in the current generation), the robot can process more data, faster. This delivers consistent visibility across racks of all shapes and sizes, including double-deep configurations, block storage, and other non-racked environments, creating a reliable data layer across the entire warehouse at the click of a button.

“Warehouse performance depends on how closely operational systems reflect reality on the floor,” said Richard Williams, VP of Robotics, Dexory. “By continuously capturing accurate data across every storage type and operational area, our next-generation solution gives customers a trusted, real-time foundation for decision-making. This enables warehouse operators to make decisions based on what is actually there, not what they assume is true.”

The robot’s modular architecture also ensures future-proofing, allowing warehouses to seamlessly integrate additional capabilities like pick face analysis or temperature monitoring without costly overhauls. Customers using existing Dexory’s systems have already seen remarkable results, including 80% reduction in audit time and 20% throughput improvement. The new capability extends these performance gains, solving visibility issues across all complex configurations.

Storage Health: enhanced early risk detection and hygiene


Complementing the new hardware is Storage Health, a software feature powered by computer vision and AI. Running in the background during every scan and analyzing the high resolution images captured in real time, Storage Health acts as an additional layer of inspection, identifying critical issues that frequently go unnoticed during manual checks.

The feature identifies and flags potential hygiene and stock risks across all rack levels. This includes damaged racking, defective pallets, and unstable items that could collapse and endanger workers; hanging shrink wrap and empty pallets that create fire, contamination, and obstruction risks; and damaged or crushed goods that undermine stock control, driving loss and rework.

“The biggest risks often sit higher up or deeper in the racks where manual checks are infrequent and ineffective,” said Chris Coote, Director of Product at Dexory. “Storage Health changes this, enabling operations, health and safety, and inventory teams to act early and reduce risks before they escalate into costly incidents, injuries, or compliance issues.”

This dual launch reinforces Dexory’s commitment to providing complete, continuous intelligence, allowing warehouse operators to gain full visibility, think smarter, and move faster than ever before. The first public showcase of these solutions will be at Manifest 2026, booth #1055, from February 9-11, 2026.

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